When blues-rocking, soul-singing drummer, songwriter and bandleader Lindsay Beaver takes the stage, she makes an immediate and unforgettable impression. Standing front and center at her kit, singing every song from the depths of her soul, she delivers blues, R&B and old school rock ‘n’ roll with punk rock energy, and sings with a voice brimming with attitude and soulfulness. She comes at every song with urgent intensity, soul-baring emotion, a distinct swagger and a take-no-prisoners confidence. With influences ranging from Little Richard to The Ramones, from Billie Holiday to Queens of the Stone Age, Lindsay has crafted a timeless sound and personal style that simply cannot be denied.

Hailing from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, Beaver possesses an old soul at the young age of 33. She is a classically trained vocalist and a jazz-trained drummer with a deep love and knowledge of roots music, from blues to jazz to R&B ballads to raucous rock ‘n’ roll. Live and on her recordings, she lays it all on the line, performing her signature mix of unforgettable originals and dance floor-filling versions of songs by artists as diverse as Sam Cooke and The Detroit Cobras. Her Alligator Records debut, Tough As Love, introduces her as a true force of nature with a sky’s-the-limit future.

Tough As Love, produced by Beaver, was recorded in Lindsay’s current hometown of Austin, Texas. She wrote seven of the album’s twelve tracks, the striking originals melding seamlessly with the perfectly-chosen covers. Her deep understanding of blues and roots rock traditions is a launching pad for her songs, combining electric urgency with skill and finesse. Tough As Lovehonors some of Beaver’s inspirations (including songs by Little Willie John, Angela Strehli and Art Neville) while introducing her own instantly memorable songs. Along with her touring band—guitarist Brad Stivers and bassist Josh Williams (“they are the glue that holds it all together,” she says)—well-known friends including Marcia Ball, Dennis Gruenling, Laura Chavez, Eve Monsees and Sax Gordon all add their talents to the proceedings. According to Beaver, “These are all folks that I’ve admired or wanted to perform with for years. It was important for me to highlight people that have inspired me.” From the first song to the last, Tough As Love is rough and raw, fearless and moving. “Signing with Alligator is a true stamp of approval for any roots music artist,” says Beaver, who has been releasing her own recordings and performing professionally for 15 years, first as a singer and then as a band-leading vocalist and drummer. “It’s like a dream come true.”

Alligator Records president Bruce Iglauer is thrilled to bring her into the fold. “I’m very excited to welcome Lindsay Beaver to the Alligator Records family. She’s a great young talent. Her songs evoke the spirit of 1950s and ‘60s R&B and blues, but her singing and playing infuse them with a raw, rocking punk energy. Her music is full of unvarnished emotion and power.”

Beaver grew up in a working class family surrounded by music. She loved to sing around the house (especially soul music), but she was a shy kid and only sang when she was alone. She discovered the music of Tupac Shakur at age 11 and fell in love with hip hop, which started her on a path back to soul, blues and jazz. At 14 she heard Jimi Hendrix and then, in her words, “everything changed.” She got a guitar and learned to play. She was finally convinced by her friends to sing in public in her high school talent show. From there, she sang in school musicals and at open mic events around Halifax. But when she first heard Billie Holiday sing Don’t Explain at age 17, Lindsay found her true musical direction. “I was floored,” she recalls. “Her voice had more soul and emotional depth than any singer I had ever heard. Billie led me to lots of other jazz, and jazz led me to blues.”Immediately after graduating high school, Lindsay took voice lessons and began a self-described “crash course” in classical music. A quick study with obvious talent, she received a scholarship to train as a classical soprano. Around the same time, she put together a small jazz band featuring her vocals. “My drummer didn’t want to keep bringing his drums over to my house for rehearsal,” she recalls. So my dad scraped together enough money to buy a drum set to keep in the house. As soon as I sat down at that set, I got it.” Her biggest drumming inspiration is the immortal Earl Palmer, who recorded with everyone from Little Richard and Fats Domino to Frank Sinatra, the Beach Boys, Dizzy Gillespie and Tom Waits. “He was the perfect drummer,” she says. “He understood how to play for the song.”

At the age of 19, Beaver saw Canadian blues icons The Garrett Mason Trio perform. Between the hordes of happy, dancing fans and the band’s fiery-hot performance, Beaver came to a realization then and there. “I want to do that,” she decided. “Have a band, actually be a real musician.” Later that week she went to the local Sunday night blues jam. “I didn’t tell any of the blues guys about my singing. I figured that if I told them that I sang, nobody would take me seriously as a drummer. So I did my jazz gigs in town singing and then would go to the blues jam on Sunday as a drummer."

Wanting to broaden her horizons, Beaver headed to Toronto to study jazz drumming, with the desire to take her percussion skills to a whole new level. “I got in,” she recalls, “because I was the only applicant who could play a shuffle.” She started a blues and soul group—the acclaimed 24th Street Wailers—and began making a name for herself in Toronto and across Canada. She befriended guitarist Jimmie Vaughan, who recognized her talent instantly. She started making regular pilgrimages to Austin to jam with locals beginning in 2014. When she relocated to Austin permanently in 2018, she formed a new band featuring her own soulful vocals and dynamic drumming and the talents of fiery guitarist Brad Stivers and rock-solid bassist Josh Williams.Over the course of her career, Beaver self-released five albums by her band, the 24th Street Wailers, producing three of them. Tough As Love is her first release under her own name. She has toured Canada, the United States and large swaths of Europe, and will be back on the road bringing her new music to places far and wide, earning new fans at every stop. “I like music with drive and passion,” she says. “I write what I know and I sing what I know. At my shows, I want people to have fun and to be moved. I want everyone to be inspired to dance and I want at least some people to be moved to tears. And I definitely want every person to go home saying, ‘I’m never going to forget this.’”

“When I first started out, I couldn’t find a singer I liked and I couldn’t find a drummer I liked, so I decided to do both.” –Lindsay Beaver

“She’s like the love child of Amy Winehouse and Little Richard.” –Bruce Iglauer, Alligator Records president

Get ready for some Swamp Zydeco! Dust off your dancing shoes, because you will be groovin' and movin' all night long.

Street Party BBQ start at 5:30 pm (Supper served to 7:30 pm) Come on down for the Pre-Show Party!

Doors for the show open at 8:oo pm sharp!

Grammy Award winning Chubby Carrier is undeniably "The World's Premier Zydeco Showman." Born on July 1, 1967 in Churchpoint, Louisiana, Chubby is the third generation of zydeco artists with such famous relatives as Roy Carrier (father), Warren Carrier (grandfather), and cousins Bebe and Calvin Carrier who are presently considered legends in zydeco history.

Chubby began his musical career at the age of 12 by playing drums with his father's band. He began playing the accordion at the age of 15. By age 17, Chubby had begun to play with Terrance Siemien and toured the world for 2 1/2 years, before forming his own band in 1989.

Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band have recorded ten CDs over the past 22 years of Chubby's professional career. His band has traveled all over the world, performing to audiences in all parts of the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii, Canada. North Africa and Europe. Chubby and the band travel 150-175 days a year, taking his act to big festivals such as the New Orleans Jazz Fest, the Chicago Blues Fest. Summerfest (Milwaukee), Memphis in May, and several festivals in Europe. Chubby has also done guest appearances on recordings for Tab Benoit, 6Was9, and Jimmy Thackery. Ann Wilson of the group Heart encourages Chubby to "continue the great sound that you have. This sound will take you places."

Our second show of our 25th Anniversary Season is a whopper! We are pleased to announce a double bill of Romi Mayes followed by the Paul Deslauriers Band.

Doors open at 8:00 pm sharp!

If you haven't heard Romi Mayes' music yet, it's time you do.

Hailing from the prairies of Canada, Mayes is one of the hardest working independent musicians touring the globe today.

Devil On Both Shoulders', her 6th full-length release, is another testament to why Romi Mayes’ past albums have garnered three Western Canadian Music Awards for Songwriter of the Year, two Western Canadian Music Awards for Album of The Year, a Juno nomination for Album of the Year, and various Canadian Music Award nominations.

Mayes is known for her powerful lyrical ability that gives life to the words she sings. Her insightful sweet and edgy vocals paint pictures of heart on her sleeve sincerity and a road well travelled. The talented players that surround her are another confirmation of how her honest abilities draw the best of the best toward her authentic brand of roots music.

Mayes continues to bring her brilliant songs, impressive guitar skills, and passionate performances to stages across the globe. With no intention of burning out or fading away, Romi Mayes has proven she is here to stay.

The Paul DesLauriers Band is made up of guitarist and singer Paul DesLauriers and the rhythm section of Greg Morency on bass and Sam Harrisson on drums. Having worked together on various projects for nearly 20 years, the band has become bound by friendship and an unshakable mutual respect. Based on this history and an uncanny musical chemistry, in 2013 they decided to focus all their energy and talents to develop their distinctive power trio.

These Montreal-based, Canadian Blues veterans blend rock with straight-ahead blues in a way that echoes the vibe of the great power trios from the 60’s and 70’s, yet they take the music to another level via modern stylings and an attack that’s free of clichés. The aural texture of their music changes on a dime from guitar-driven pyrotechnic blazing to a much milder blues boogie with seamless ease. It's all wondrously peppered with pleasing funky bass lines and a swamp-blues backbeat.

Crowned Entertainer of the Year for the second year in a row at the 21stannual Maple Blues Awards held on January 15th 2018 in Toronto, Canada; in 2017 along with Entertainer of the Year, they also won the Maple Blues Awards for Electric Act of the Year, Bassist of the Year(Greg Morency) andDrummer of the Year(Sam Harrisson). In January 2016 the band took 2nd place at the 32nd International Blues Challenge (IBC), the world’s largest gathering of blues acts, organized by The Blues Foundation. Held in Memphis Tennessee, they rose to the top to take the runner-up title in the Band category in a worldwide competition that saw 119 bands competing for a spot on the podium.

They're back! Roy Rogers and the Delta Rhythm Kings bring their high energy style back to Blues at the Bow to start off our 25th Anniversary Season.

Not only that, but we have Tim Williams opening the show!

Doors open at 8pm

“Roy Rogers means the modern master in the art of slide guitar…His versatility with the technique is nothing short of astonishing.” ~ All Music Guide

Virtuoso slide guitarist and Grammy-nominated songwriter/producer and recording artist Roy Rogers remains defiantly upbeat on his 12th solo albumInto the Wild Blue — out June 2nd on CD all and digital formats.

Even though 64 year-old Rogers has lost longtime friends like blues legend John Lee Hooker, his recent recording partner of eight years, Ray Manzarek of The Doors, as well as his younger brother Robert — he says “life’s too short” to wallow in our grief or what we have lost. “I want to celebrate life through my music.”

Into the Wild Blue wails, squawks, stomps and boogies with authenticity — ready for the open road and the live stage. Years of working with the likes of John Lee Hooker, Bonnie Raitt, Carlos Santana, Sammy Hagar and Steve Miller has given him a pop musicality.

“I’m the guy that always likes to push the envelope,” Rogers says, at home in Northern California. “We cover a lot of ground on this record.”

Rogers says he had no “master plan” for the 12th addition to his solo catalog. “It’s just putting one foot in front of the other.” YetInto the Wild Blue demonstrates a master’s confidence and vision.

We welcome back Diunna Greenleaf and Blue Mercy. One of the Blues greats!

Doors open at 8pm, music starts at 9:15pm.

Diunna Greenleaf, the leader of Blue Mercy, is a native Texan (Houston) who has a background steeped in gospel music. Influenced by Koko Taylor, Aretha Franklin, Rosetta Thorpe, Sam Cooke, Charles Brown and her own parents Ben & Mary Ella Greenleaf (Gospel). She has developed "Diunna's style of Blues" in the same tradition as so many other great Texas blues men and women. She combines intricate patches of jazz, gospel and heartfelt soul to create a kind of blues that takes one on an emotional roller coaster ride.

Diunna and her band Blue Mercy have performed throughout the United States and Internationally. She has performed all over Europe, Australia, Canada, Brazil and The Caribbean. She will tell you she travels and plays the Blues anywhere she is invited with a beneficial contract.

Her commitment to Blues goes well beyond performing on stage. She served for three years as President of the Houston Blues Society, making history as the first woman ever elected to this position. During her presidency she used her professional guidance and grant writing skills to produce the Willie Mae "Big Momma" Thornton Blues Festival, bringing in the talents of “The Queen Of Blues” Mrs. Koko Taylor, Mr. Bernard Allison, Texas Johnny Brown, I.J. Gosey, Diane Price, Mel Waiters, Betty Lewis, Gary Clark, Jr., Jeremy And The Hotboys, along with many others. Diunna started the annual Houston Blues Society Founders Day and actively continued the Blues In Schools Program throughout the state, as well as many of the countries where she and her band perform. She also played an integral in founding Friends of Blues of Montgomery County.

Winner of "Best New Artist Debut" at the 2008 Blues Music Awards

Winner of the "Koko Taylor Award-Traditional Blues Female" in 2014 and 2017.

Her latest CD "Trying To Hold On" reached #1 on XM/Sirius Radio Bluesville Chart, #1 on French Blues charts, #1 on Living Blues charts for the month of December 2012, and reached the top of Blues charts in UK, Australia and USA.

In addition to being an accomplished performer, Diunna is also a very talented song writer making the semi-finals and finals of the International Songwriting competition.

In Chicago, a city overflowing with unrivaled blues talent, world-renowned Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials have been standing tall for almost 30 years. The band’s big sound, fueled by Lil’ Ed’s gloriously rollicking slide work and deep blues string bending, along with his rough-edged, soulful vocals, is as real and hard-hitting as Chicago blues gets. The Chicago Sun-Times says, “Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials are the hottest purveyors of bottleneck boogie to come out of Chicago since Hound Dog Taylor.”

Lil’ Ed Williams comes to the blues naturally. His uncle, Chicago slide guitar king and master songwriter J.B. Hutto, taught him how to feel, not just play the blues. Nine albums and thousands of performances later, Lil’ Ed is now universally hailed as a giant of the genre. Lil' Ed and The Blues Imperials—bassist (and Ed’s half-brother) James “Pookie” Young, guitarist Mike Garrett and drummer Kelly Littleton—have remained together for nearly 30 years (an extraordinary feat for any group), the band fueling Ed’s songs with their rock-solid, road-tested, telepathic musicianship.

The Big Sound Of Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials is the musically electrifying, emotionally intense and downright fun new album from the band Guitar Player calls “a snarling boogie-blues machine...they blow down the walls.” The CD features Lil’ Ed’s incendiary playing and playful, passionate singing, with the ragged-but-right Blues Imperials cooking like mad alongside him. Produced by Williams and Alligator president Bruce Iglauer, it is a tour-de-force of authentic, deeply rooted Chicago blues. Williams wrote or co-wrote all but two of album’s 14 songs, the other gems written by Uncle J.B. The Chicago Reader says the band’s music “is a soundtrack for dancing and celebration infused with a sense of hard-won survival. Williams attacks his lyrics like he attacks his guitar: with bare-bones intensity that makes each word sound like a matter of life or death.”

Halloween at the Bow is back! Downchild with an opening act TBA. Dress up in your fantastic Halloween gear as there will be prizes for best costume! You are not going to miss this show! Tickets will be hot, hot hot!

The Downchild Blues Band was formed by brothers Donnie and Hock Walsh. In 2007 they celebrated their 40th anniversary with the critically acclaimed Live At The Palais Royale. The band, also known as Downchild [Editor’s note: They changed the name to avoid limiting their potential audience to only blues lovers.], continues to win accolades. This new studio album is nominated for a Maple Award as Recording of The Year.

The Maple Awards are Canada’s version of our Blues Music Awards. If that weren’t enough, the band is also nominated as Entertainer of the Year and Electric Act of The Year. “Mr. Downchild,” Donnie Walsh, is guitarist, harp player, vocalist, producer, and front man. Chuck Jackson also plays harp. The rhythm section is ably anchored by drummer Mike Fitzpatrick, but this year the band can be especially proud that each of their three remaining players also is individually nominated for Maple Awards. They are Michael Fonfara, keyboards; Pat Carey, saxes; and bassist Gary Kendell.

The title track, “I Need A Hat,” and all songs except two were written by Walsh. For me the highlight of this album is the horn arrangements, especially on the opening track, “This Must Be Love,” on “Down in The Delta,” and on “Some More of That.” Wayne Jackson of the Memphis Horns guests on “Somebody Lied” and he takes a nice trumpet solo. He is joined on that track by veteran Canadian guitarist Colin James.

Blues Brother Dan Aykroyd guests on harp on “You Don’t Love Me.” Downchild was a primary influence behind The Blues Brothers, which featured Aykroyd, who hails from the Toronto area. On that first Blues Brothers album, Briefcase Full of Blues, it was Aykroyd who sang lead on Walsh’s “I Got Everything I Need, Almost.”

The band may have been together for forty years, but they sound fresh on this new studio recording. If you’re going to see them I suggest you might wear a hat, too.

Sizzling hot guitar solos. Smooth and soulful vocals. High-energy stage performance. Backed by a rhythm section that is second to none, this IS Dennis Jones. Check out a live show, and you’ll instantly agree, this band ROCKS the blues like NO other! Dennis’s feet are firmly rooted in the past, yet his heart and soul are connected to the present. He writes songs that seamlessly blend the best of both worlds, presenting a unique and contemporary style of American rock and blues. And unlike some others, he isn’t afraid to tackle the controversial issues of today.

Straight out of Chicago, Mississippi Heat has been performing and recording pure vintage blues for more than two decades.

It all began one night at a 1991 gig at the now-closed Cafe Lura in Chicago, where guitarist and singer Jon McDonald invited Pierre Lacocque to join him onstage. Jon had hired drummer and vocalist Robert Covington (with Sunnyland Slim at the time) and bassist Bob Stroger (also with Sunnyland Slim and with Jimmy Rogers).

It went so well that the three musicians decided to form Mississippi Heat. His brother Michel–also in attendance that night–volunteered to become the band’s manager.

Since then, the band’s current and former members have released a total of 11 albums, touring North America, South America and Europe. Throughout it all, the band’s always stuck to its motto: “Traditional blues with a unique sound.”

Hailed as “an artist bringing the piano back to the front ranks of contemporary blues”, multiple-award winning blues”, multiple-award winning blues, boogie-woogie and jazz pianist Kenny ‘Blues Boss’ Wayne is called “Blues Boss” for a reason. His musical career began as a child prodigy in the late 1950’s and has continued to flourish for over 60 years with Wayne at the forefront of modern day blues piano practitioners.

Born in Spokane, Washington, raised in New Orleans and now based in British Columbia, Kenny ‘Blues Boss’ Wayne has built a

Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne

stellar reputation within Canada and abroad for his lively attire and energetic concert performances. The zoot-suited Wayne will be returning to Russia, South America, and Europe this year, where he regularly sells out 800 to 1000 seat venues and headlines many international concerts and festivals.

Kenny ‘Blues Boss’ Wayne released his first solo album Alive & Loose, which featured Shuggie Otis, on Andy Griggs’ Real Blues Records in 1995. It marked the start of Wayne’s blues journey and was followed by four albums for Canadian label Electro-Fi Records: 88th & Jump Street, JUNO Award winning Let It Loose, Can’t Stop Now and the live recording Piano-Rama. Wayne also, recorded in Paris for Isabel Records at the same studio that Memphis Slim frequently recorded. Since joining Stony Plain Records in 2011, Wayne has released An Old Rock On A Roll , which earned him a Blues Foundation nomination for the Pinetop Perkins Piano Award, and Rollin’ with the Blues Boss.

Jumpin’ and Boppin’ is his third recording on Stony Plain Records. “While I’m making this wonderful journey through life and having the opportunity to record my own songs, I try to make every recording better than the last”, says Wayne. “This most likely won’t be my last but I am very proud to present this recording to the world and hope that you enjoy it as much as I did writing, recording and producing this album.

A throw-back to classic, rollicking blues of yesteryear. Jumpin’ and Boppin’ is firmly rooted in the jump blues style of Louis Jordan and Amos Milburn. It could have easily been made in the 1950’s, which is a further testament to Wayne’s immense talents, staying power and stature as one of the genre’s foremost jazz/boogie-woogie pianist.

Special guest Duke Robillard is the perfect guitarist and Russell Jackson, B.B. King’s long-time bassist, locks in the rhythm section, alongside Charlie Jacobson Joey DiMarco, Sherman Doucette & Dave Babcock who contribute their talents to this recording as well. There are many highlights among the 13 tracks on the album including the opening instrumental “Blues Boss Shuffle”. Featuring Wayne’s deft piano playing and Duke Robillard’s sublime soloing, it is the perfect introduction to the vibe of the album.

“Jumpin’ & Boppin’ With Joy” is exactly as the title suggests a joyful noise that will get toes tapping. “You Don’t Know Me” is a slow and forlorn love song showcasing Wayne’s soulful vocals. “Look Out! There’s A Train Coming” is a cautionary tale, while “Back To Square One” is another slow number about searching for the perfect love and starting over. The jubilant “I’m Comin’ Home” details a soldier on his way back to his family and features lively harmonica from Sherman Doucette. The final track on Jumpin’ and Boppin’ is “Boogie To Gloryland”, another magnificent instrumental, set to remind the listener just who’s boss when it comes to blues piano playing.

As a one-man cheering section for the days when blues and jazz met the roots of rock and roll, Kenny ‘Blues Boss’ Wayne is an artist who’s got it all: talent, charisma, and showmanship. Oozing with class and sophistication, Wayne is a throwback to the golden age of classic rhythm and blues while offering a fresh approach to the genre.

Victor Wainwright and the WildRoots

Blues, Roots Rock and Soul, featuring the high-octane boogie piano and soulful vocals of Victor Wainwright and backed by one of the most gifted bands on the scene: the WildRoots. With the release of BOOM TOWN, their latest record, they’re poised to ignite blues/roots fans with a sound that’s infectious and impossible to ignore.

As Victor and producer/writer Stephen Dees celebrate 10 outstanding years of musical partnership that began with Wainwright's 2005 solo debut PIANA' FROM SAVANNAH, they’re teaming up once again to deliver a blues and American roots tour de force. After the 2011 release of the critically acclaimed record LIT UP!; The WildRoots are back and they're toting another musical triumph in BOOM TOWN.

Born in Savannah, Georgia, Victor's childhood was filled with music. Surrounded by a musical family, Victor found himself emulating his Dad's vocals and Grandfather Jessie's boogie-woogie piano playing. Over the last decade he has broadened his artistic scope to encompass nearly every corner of the Blues. Victor’s star is definitely on the rise, having won the coveted Blues Music Award as “Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year” in both 2013 and 2014, as well as anchoring the acclaimed group, Southern Hospitality, whose “Easy Livin’” release made the Top 10 on the Billboard blues chart.

First-time at the Bow we are pleased to welcome songstress extraordinaire

Laura Rain and the Caesars

Laura Rain, has been performing on the Detroit, and Los Angeles music scene for well over a decade. Starting out in the trenches of the Motor City blues circuit, Laura quickly encompassed more versatility and began branching out from her blues roots, and thus adapted a soul drenched, high energy, sensuous format, that is the essence of her show. Classically trained as a Verdi Soprano, she has an exceptional, diverse range that will take you on a musical journey.

Through out the years, her exotic look, stellar sound, and versatile repertoire, has kept her working with many top R&B, Jazz, and Blues bands, across the country. She has performed repeatedly at the MGM Grand Hotels and Casinos in Detroit, and Las Vegas; The Flamingo Hilton, Las Vegas; as well as Motor City, and Greek Town Casino in Detroit. Included also, are performances at Mountaineer Casino, in West Virginia, Trump Taj Mahal, in Atlantic City, and the list grows weekly, as the summer festivals roll out. Performances scheduled this year at the Marquette Blues Festival, and also the Mackinac Music Festival, in the upper peninsula of Michigan. Ms. Rain loves to tour and perform. It is the essence of who she is.

Our traditional Halloween Bash is back and better than ever. Maple Blues award winner Kirby Sewell band is back to celebrate our best annual holiday at the club. Prizes for costumes, great music and fun!

The Kirby Sewell Band is an electrifying Canadian Blues Rock experience. Reaching out with modern interpretations, the 5-piece band tells melodic heart pulling stories that come from the depths of an old soul, while breathing new musical life into a genre. Their arrangements are amped up, invigorating, and play against the grain.

The Kirby Sewell Band’s music has been played across North America on SiriusXM, and nationally on the CBC, CKUA & Galaxy networks. They have shared the stage with Colin James, Trombone Shorty, Burton Cummings, Coco Montoya, Blue Rodeo, the Downchild Blues Band, Edgar Winter & Savoy Brown.

There are many different opinions as to what the future of the blues harmonica will be. Memphis vocalist and harmonica player Brandon Santini is undeniably a worthy player to keep an eye on as the latest surge of young blues artists leave their footprint in blues history. His name is worthy of conversations that include James Cotton, Kim Wilson, Dennis Gruenling, Charlie Musselwhite and other frontline harmonica players by combining his love and respect for traditional blues with a present, colorful style of playing that is often compared to James Cotton or Paul Butterfield. Raised in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, Brandon purchased his first harmonica in 1997 at the age of fifteen when his mother took him to the local music store upon his request. He founded the Blues Music Award nominated band Delta Highway in 2003 and relocated to Memphis where he absorbed the sounds and culture of the Delta and North Mississippi Hill Country, honing his craft night after night, sweating it out in local Beale Street clubs just like Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, and B.B. King did decades before him.

The Paul DesLauriers Band is made up of virtuoso guitarist and singer Paul DesLauriers and masterful rhythm section Greg Morency on bass and Sam Harrisson on drums. On January 30th 2016 the band took 2nd place at the 32nd International Blues Challenge, the world’s largest gathering of blues acts, organized by The Blues Foundation. Held in Memphis Tennessee, they rose to the top to take the runner-up title in the band category in a world-wide competition that saw 119 bands competing for a spot on the podium. The current self-titled electric album from these three pillars of the Quebec Blues scene has captured the subtlety and intensity, the unique interplay and excitement they are so well known for. Released to unanimously excellent reviews in March 2014, the album reached the #1 spot on the iTunes Canada Blues Chart within a month! They are currently touring Canada and the USA in support of the album with notable performances that include The Montreal International Jazz Festival, the Tremblant International Jazz Festival, the Thunder Bay Blues Festival and the Playing With Fire Festival in Omaha, Nebraska, among many others.

Undeniably part of Canada’s musical elite, all three members are regular nominees and winners at the Maple Blues Awards and Quebec Lys Blues Awards. Paul DesLauriers is the Winner of 2 Maple Blues Awards in 2014, including Guitarist of the Year and winner of 5 Lys Blues Awards in Quebec. Greg Morency won the Maple Blues Award for Bassist of the Year in January 2015. Sam Harrisson is a three-time Maple Blues Award Drummer of the Year nominee and winner of record-holding 9 Lys Blues Awards in Quebec for Musical Performance.

During the 1950s, Chicago's West Side was a breeding ground for some of the world's greatest bluesmen. Magic Sam, Otis Rush, Freddie King and others ruled the clubs. With his fierce guitar playing, soulful and emotive vocals and wild stage shows, Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater easily belongs on this list. A Chicago legend, Clearwater is an intense, flamboyant blues-rocking showman. He's equally comfortable playing the deepest, most heartfelt blues or rocking, good-time party music. DownBeat said, "Left-hander Eddy Clearwater is a forceful six-stringer...He lays down some gritty West Side shuffles and belly-grinding slow blues that highlight his raw chops, soulful vocals, and earthy, humorous lyrics."

Between his slashing left-handed guitar work, his room-filling vocals, his self-defined "rock-a-blues" style (a forceful mix of blues, rock, rockabilly, country and gospel), his boundless energy and even his signature Indian headdress, Clearwater is among the very finest practitioners of the West Side blues working today. The blues world recognized his talent by giving him the Blues Music Award for Contemporary Blues â€“ Male Artist of the Year in 2001. His last release, 2003's Rock 'N' Roll City, was nominated for a Grammy Award.

The 2008 birth of the Ottawa-based band MonkeyJunk came along just when music fans needed them the most. They brought an accessible and refreshing blend of swamp-rock roots and blues to the table and haven’t looked back. In the relatively short time they’ve been performing and recording together, the members of MonkeyJunk have won a collective 20 Maple Blues Awards, two Canadian Independent Music Awards, a Blues Music Award (USA), and have been nominated twice for a JUNO Award, taking home the coveted hardware in 2012.